The Star Ruby Ritual

The Ritual

Facing East, in the centre, draw deep deep deep thy breath closing thy mouth with thy right forefinger prest against thy lower lip.

Then dashing down the hand with a great sweep back and out, expelling forcibly thy breath, cry APO PANTOS KAKODAIMONOS. 

With the same forefinger touch thy forehead, and say SOI, thy member, and say O PHALLE, [The secret sense of these words is to be sought in the numeration thereof.], thy right shoulder, and say ISCHUROS, thy left shoulder, and say EUCHARISTOS; then clasp thine hands, locking the fingers, and cry IAÕ. 

Advance to the East. Imagine strongly a Pentagram, aright, in thy forehead. 

Drawing the hands to the eyes, fling it forth, making the sign of Horus and roar THÉRION. 

Retire thine hand in the sign of Hoor-paar-Kraat.

Go round to the North and repeat; but say NUIT.

Go round to the West and repeat; but whisper BABALON.

Go round to the South and repeat; but bellow HADIT.

Completing the circle widdershins, retire to the centre and raise thy voice in the Paian, with these words IÕ PAN, with the signs of N.O.X.

Extend the arms in the form of a Tau and say low but clear:

PRO MOU IUNGES OPICHÕ MOU TELETARCHAI EPI DEXIA CHUNOCHES EPARISTERA DAIMONOS PHEG EI GAR PERI MOU O ASTÉR TÕN PENTE KAI EN TÉI STÉLÉI Õ ASTÉR TÕN EX ESTÉXE.

Repeat the Cross Qabalistic, as above, and end as thou didst begin.

Instructions on the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram

FOR THE GRADE OF ZELATOR

Issued by the
Thelemic Order
of the Golden Dawn

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

The Pentagram represents the operation of the four Elements and Spirit under the presidency of the divine name Yeheshuah. The four Elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth are represented by the divine name Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh, IHVH, the Tetragrammaton; but with the insertion of the letter Shin, which is the letter of Ruach Elohim or the Spirit of the Gods, the name becomes Yeheshuah or the Pentagrammaton. This name represents the operation of Spirit in the midst of the four Elements; it indicates a formula of supreme importance in the Art of Magic. For it is by the action of Spirit upon the four Elements that they are redeemed and transmuted into things divine.

There is a much employed Golden Dawn Ritual which utilizes the symbol of the Pentagram as a general means to banish and invoke elemental forces. This ritual is called the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram. However, it should not simply be regarded as a mere device to invoke or banish, for it is really the Stone of the Wise and incorporates within its structure certain magical formulae which can assist in the initiatory process. It is, to all intents and purposes, a Ritual of Self-Initiation.

The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram can be used to open and close any magical or mystical work, such as a ceremony or meditation; as a minor form of exorcism; or as an opening and closing for the day. In the latter case, you perform the Lesser Ritual of the Invoking Pentagram during Sunrise or upon awakening, and the Lesser Ritual of the Banishing Pentagram during Sunset or before going to sleep.

It is a suitable idea for the student to perform the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram at least twice a day. For it helps the Magician to develop around himself an Aura or Circle of Light; it purifies the Aura or Sphere of Sensation of all base elemental and astral influences which are chaotic in nature, and it consecrates and fortifies the Magician with the Divine Light. Of course, as the Magician advances to Adeptship, it will become less of a matter for him to perform the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram except during those times where it is necessary to the opening and closing of some magical or mystical working. It is always to be performed by the Magician at the beginning and end of every Ceremony.

Another important matter to consider is that the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is a good means to prepare oneself for Astral Projection. By its use you formulate around yourself an Astral Circle wherein you can perform your astral work with complete protection from astral influences which might otherwise be detrimental to your work; and by its symbolism you naturally tune into astral currents of a magical nature, thus preparing yourself for the work of projecting your Astral Body. The Light that is invoked in the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, as symbolized by Kether above the head, is that same Light that is used to fortify and crystallize the Body of Light.

The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram can be used as a general means to invoke or banish any one of the four Elements. For example: To invoke or banish Earth, you simply use the invoking or banishing Earth Pentagram in all four quarters; to invoke or banish Air, you simply use the invoking or banishing Air Pentagram in all four quarters. The Divine Names remain the same throughout the ritual; you only change the type of Pentagram, depending on the element you are going to invoke or banish.

After performing the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram to invoke an Element, it is necessary to banish by way of the Pentagram, so that if you, for instance, invoked the Element of Fire, you would also, at the completion of your ceremony, perform a Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Fire Pentagram. You go through the same steps as in the invocation, but using instead the Banishing Pentagram of the Element.

When using the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, it must be understood by the Zelator that to invoke or banish is nothing more than a tuning in or tuning out. To invoke is to tune in; to banish is to tune out. We cannot really invoke or banish an elemental force; it is an intrinsic part of our nature; all we do is focus in or focus out of the elemental force which is just as much a part of our nature as the nose on our faces or the toes on our feet.

In the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram you invoke towards and banish from the point to which the Element is attributed on the Pentagram. This method, however, does not apply to the so-called Element of Spirit. The Pentagrams of Air are traced along the Air/Water axis; the Pentagrams of Fire are traced along the Fire/Spirit axis; the Pentagrams of Water are traced along the Water/Air Axis; and the Pentagrams of Earth are traced along the Earth/Spirit Axis. The student will need to consult Aleister Crowley's A.·. A.·. Publication in Class B, Liber O Vel Manus et Sagittae, Sub figura VI, for proper instructions and illustrations concerning the method of tracing the Elemental Pentagrams.

Whereas the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is used as a general means to invoke or banish any one of the four Elements, the Greater Ritual of the Pentagram is specifically employed to open an Elemental Ritual, or to invoke a particular Element for the consecration of an Elemental Weapon, or to invoke or banish Zodiacal forces, or to travel in the Spirit Vision. Whereas the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram strictly concerns itself with the four Elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth, the Greater Ritual of the Pentagram concerns itself, not only with the four Elements, but also with the so-called fifth Element of Spirit.

In the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is given to the Neophyte as a general means for him/her to invoke or banish the elemental forces of Nature, but by use of the Pentagram of Earth alone. It is given to the Zelator for the same purpose, but by use of all four Pentagrams of Fire, Water, Air and Earth. The Greater Ritual of the Pentagram, which incorporates the Spirit Pentagrams, is given to the Dominus Liminis. The grade of the Dominus Liminis is a Crown to the four Elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth, which pertain to the grade of the Zelator. It formulates the topmost point of the Pentagram and it concerns itself with the summarization of the elemental mysteries of the elemental grade of the Zelator, equilibrating one's Elemental Self, which is to be completely surrendered to one's Holy Guardian Angel for the supreme attainment of Hir Knowledge and Conversation. The grade of the Dominus Liminis is the link between one's Elemental Self and Holy Guardian Angel. This so-called grade pertains to the so-called Element of Spirit.

In the Outer Order of the Thelemic Golden Dawn, the Elements are attributed to the four Cardinal Quarters of the compass: Air (or Earth) is in the East, Fire is in the South, Water is in the West, and Earth (or Air) is in the North. The fifth so-called Element of Spirit is attributed to the Center, as in the symbolism of the Elemental Cross.

In the Thelemic version of the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, the elemental attributions of Earth in the East, Air in the North, Water in the West, and Fire in the South, are based on Aleister Crowley’s own Thelemic elemental attributions set forth in his Liber V Vel Reguli and in Liber XXV (The Star Ruby). Also, in numbers 12 through 15 of this same version of the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, you convoke the Four Sons of Horus who are the Four Vicegerents of the Four Elements. The elemental correspondences used here for the Four Sons of Horus are based on Aleister Crowley’s Liber 777, Table of Correspondences, Column XIX, Selection of Egyptian Gods.

Let us now analyze the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram in more depth. Some of the following information was written with the assistance of Frater Vitriol, a founding member of the Order. It is very important to analyze every aspect of the Pentagram Ritual, for only thus will you come to the complete comprehension of this Ritual and its great potential as a magical tool for the expression of your Magical Will.

The Pentagram Ritual is composed of Four Parts: (1) The Qabalistic Cross, (2) The Tracing of the Pentagrams, (3) The Invocation of the Archangels, and (4) The final Qabalistic Cross. These four parts relate to the Four Elements, which the Pentagram Ritual is intended to invoke and banish.

During the Ritual of the Pentagram you are standing at the intersection of the Paths of Samekh and Peh on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Thus you are facing Tiphareth, the sixth Sephira, with Netzach at your right and Hod at your left. In this Qabalistic scheme is contained much meaning. For as you step forward in each quarter to vibrate a Divine Name, you are doing so toward a particular Sephira on the Tree of Life.

You commence the work of the Pentagram Ritual by visualizing a Sphere of White Light above your head. It is the Light of Kether, the first Sephira of the Tree of Life. You thus immediately link your consciousness to that of the One Self. With the Sign of Benediction or the index finger, you bring down the Light of Kether to your third-eye, vibrating "Atah", as a verbal recognition of Yechidah or the One Self. (See an example of the Sign of Benediction given by the Hierophant on Atu V in the BOTA or Rider Waite Tarot Deck.) You then bring down the Light to the heart, to the sphere of Tiphareth, and you vibrate "Aiwaz" or "IAO". Aiwaz is the Angel of the Sun; IAO is a Notariqon for the God-Name of Tiphareth. You then bring down the light to the genitals, the place of Malkuth, to complete the vertical bar or shaft of a Cross. You then take the Light to the shoulders, to the places of Geburah and Gedulah, to form the horizontal bar of a Cross. You then equilibrate this entire process by clasping or crossing the hands at the place of Tiphareth, the Center, vibrating the final words and visualizing, if you will, a Rose in the center of the Cross.

It will be noticed that in the Qabalistic Cross you use the microcosmic Tree of Life. In other words, as you form the Cross you visualize yourself as with your back against the Tree of Life, whereas with the macrocosmic Tree of Life you are facing it, so that the Sephiroth called Geburah and Gedulah are located on your left and right respectively. In the Qabalistic Cross, however, we become the Tree of Life, so that Geburah and Gedulah are located on our right and left respectively.

When tracing the Pentagrams in the Lesser Ritual you should see them in a bluish-white flame unless you are invoking a particular Element. When invoking an Element, the Pentagrams should appear in the color appropriate to the Element itself, that is, Yellow for Air, Red for Fire, Blue for Water, and Green for Earth. For purposes of tracing the Pentagram, its five points should coincide with certain parts of the body: the two lowest points should coincide with the left and right thighs; the two upper points with the left and right shoulders; and the uppermost point with the forehead.

When tracing the Pentagrams, you should exhale through the nose while tracing the first line of any Pentagram, and inhale through the nose while tracing the second line, keeping this rhythm of breath until the fifth line, which will always be done with the exhaling breath. In this way you can inhale the Divine Name before vibrating it, as an act of inspiration. When going from quarter to quarter you must connect the center of a completed Pentagram to the area that will become the center of the next Pentagram, to trace around yourself a Circle of Protection.

Before vibrating the Divine Names, you are to envisage before you the Hebrew letters that make up the Names. You are then to inhale these letters into your lungs. The letters should be visualized in bright flames. While in the lungs, the Names should be consecrated with the Light. Then while you are retaining the breath, the Name should be visualized as descending from the lungs to the feet. It should then rise rapidly once more to the lungs to be vibrated. It is not necessary to give the Sign of Horus when vibrating the Divine Names. You may simply advance your right foot forward, placing its heel in the hollow of the left foot. This is the more common method and represents the same idea of stepping toward a Sephira on the Tree of Life. However, giving the Sign of Horus helps to project the Names with greater force.

To make the Sign of Horus advance the left foot about 12 inches, throw forward the body, and let the hands [drawn back to the side of the eyes] shoot out. To make the Sign of Silence withdraw the left foot, and place the right forefinger upon the lower lip. The Sign of Horus is also called the Sign of the Enterer, the Sign of Attacking, and the Sign of Consecration. The Sign of Silence is also called the Sign of Harpocrates and the Sign of Protection. Both of these Signs are the Signs of the Neophyte Grade of the Golden Dawn.

Before invoking the Archangels you give the Sign of the Cross. The Cross is a balanced symbol of the Elemental Forces. You then envisage the Archangels behind the Pentagrams as you vibrate their Names. The colors and implements they have must correspond with the Elements that they preside over. For example, Raphael, the Angel of Air, should be in yellows and violets, holding a Sword and Balance in his hands. You may also use the Hebrew letters that spell the Names of the Archangels to determine the colors used. (Consult Crowley's 777, King Scale of Colors, Column 15.) The Archangels can be either facing toward or away from you, depending on whether you are invoking or banishing. Raphael means "Healing of God"; Gabriel means "Strength of God"; Michael means "Likeness of God"; and Auriel means "Light of God." Instead of the Archangels you may employ the forms of the Kerubim related to the four fixed Zodiacal Signs and the Elemental Quarters (Eagle in the East, Water Bearer in the West, Lion in the South, and Ox the in North). In such a case you could say, as an example for the Eagle, "Before me the Great Powers of the East", or "Before me the Great Powers of Air". The Eagle and Water Bearer are interchangeable; for the Eagle is Scorpio, a Water Sign, but it also conforms to Air; and the Water Bearer is Aquarius, an Air Sign, but it also conforms to Water.

When saying "For about me flames the Pentagram", you should see the Pentagrams blazing around you. Then, while saying "And in the column shines the Six-rayed Star", you should see a Hexagram above and below you, and also the image of a Column. This represents the true nature of this ritual, which is to unite the Pentagram and Hexagram, that is, the Microcosm (Man) and Macrocosm (God). It is the equilibration of the Five and the Six. The Column is a symbol of the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life. It is also a symbol of Sushumna, the Central Nadi of Yoga. Sushumna begins from the lowest center of the body, the Muladhara, and it ends in the last Chakra called Sahasrara (Crown Chakra). The Chakras are on the vertebral column in the Sushumna and through it passes the Kundalini (Serpent Force). Kundalini sleeps until it is awakened in the Muladhara Chakra, closing with its mouth the entrance to the Sushumna. When the Kundalini (Shakti) is awakened, by way of proper initiation, She enters the Royal Way in the Sushumna to embrace her Lord Shiva above in the Crown Chakra.

The Qabalistic Cross is repeated at the end of the Ritual so as to balance it from beginning to end. This is especially necessary so that any imbalances or irregularities that occurred during the ritual can be balanced and harmonized, that the operation may be pure. The Qabalistic Cross is an invocation of the Divine Light of Kether and an equilibration of that Light in the four quarters of the Universe. By ending the Pentagram Ritual with the Qabalistic Cross you are sealing the ritual with the Light of Kether, which is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega of it all. You also formulate in your Aura the Cross of Light and seal your Aura with that Light. It is a suitable idea at this final point of the ritual to increase the size of the Cross, so that its vertical and horizontal bars extend into infinity.

After the final Qabalistic Cross you should give the Sign of Silence. In this way you assimilate in your Aura or Sphere of Sensation the invoked energy of the ritual; you fortify your Aura with the Light and cultivate your own Magical Circle, as in the image of the Babe in the Egg of Blue. The Babe is Harpocrates, God of Silence, called Hoor-Paar-Kraat in the Egyptian tongue. He represents our Silent Self; He is a universal symbol of the Holy Guardian Angel. When giving His Sign you are to assume His God Form, seeing yourself in the Egg of Blue Light.

Love is the law, love under will.

Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram another variation

This ritual, called the LBRP for short, is designed to clear your area (and yourself) of negative energies. It is composed of four sections. The LBRP has become a standard part of the Western Mystical Tradition, and has been adapted and altered by many individuals and magickal groups. Here is a basic version. The only magical tool you need is a dagger, although you can use your right index finger instead. The odd words are English versions of Hebrew using transliterations based on modern Hebrew as the pronunciation of ancient Hebrew is debatable.

Part One: The Qabalistic Cross.

STEP ONE. Visualize yourself getting larger and larger, taller and taller, until you tower above the room you are in. Continue this growing visualization until the city you live in is small beneath your feet. See the continent as tiny compared to your majestic body. Now even the Earth is small beneath your feet. However, no matter how small the Earth is, it is still firm and solid beneath your feet, anchoring you to the ground.

Next visualize yourself growing so large that the planets of our solar system are like tiny toy rubber balls spinning near your feet. Soon they are too small to see as even the Milky Way galaxy becomes a small dot of light at your feet. Now visualize a dot of light coming from somewhere far above your head. Know that this is only a tiny bit of the light from this [Divine] source... [and it] forms a brilliant white sphere of pulsating light just above your head. It is nine inches in diameter, about the size of a dinner plate... Point to that sphere above your head with your dagger or finger and "bring it down" by pointing to your forehead, just above and between the eyes. Next, visualize this brilliance filling your head with divine light. While pointing to your forehead vibrate: Ah-TAH (boldfaced syllable denotes emphasis).

STEP TWO. Bring the point of the dagger (or your finger) firmly down your body until you are pointing toward the ground. Your hand with the blade should be covering your groin. As you do this, visualize the light in your head coming down along with the blade (or finger), down through your body and beyond your feet, down to eternity. Vibrate: Mahl-KOOT.

STEP THREE. Now bring the blade up to your right shoulder. As you do this, visualize the beam of white light running down the center of your body form a beam from the heart area out to your right, past the blade at your right shoulder. See this beam of light extend to the end of the universe, and beyond. Focus on this beam and vibrate: Vih G’Boo-RAH

STEP FOUR. Move the point of the blade horizontally to your left shoulder. As you do, visualize the beam of white light now extending through infinite space to your left. As you focus on this beam of light, vibrate: Vih-G’Doo-LAH

STEP FIVE. Clasp your hands at your chest as if praying...visualize within your chest, at the point covered by your folded hands, a brilliant golden glow. Vibrate: Lih-Oh-LAHM, Ah-MEN...

[W]hat you have done is to visualize yourself as the center of the universe with only the divine light coming through you. You may wish to remain in this position for a few minutes to feel its power.

Part Two: The Formulation of the Pentagrams

STEP ONE: [Move to the eastern edge of your area, your circle, facing out.] Here draw a pentagram [in the air. Start outside your lower left hip, move up above your head, then go outside your lower right hip, then to your left shoulder, right shoulder, and back to the beginning]...Be sure to visualize the figure as a flaming gas-jet blue pentagram as you draw.

STEP TWO. Inhale through the nose. As you do, feel energy flow from the ends of the universe through your nose and body, and down and out of the bottoms of your feet to the center of the Earth...As you inhale, both hands should be raised to the sides of your head by your ears. The dagger (or right-hand index finger) should be pointing forward. Your left hand (which should have remained at your side until now) is drawn into a similar position by your left ear, the index finger pointing forward, the rest of the fingers closed into a fist.

STEP THREE. Step forward with the left foot. At the same time, thrust your hands forward so that they point at the exact middle of the glowing blue pentagram in front of you...As you do this you should exhale and feel the energy come back up your body, out your arms and hands, through the pentagram and to the ends of the universe. You should use the entire exhalation to vibrate the God Name: Yud-Heh-Vahv-Heh. [Put equal stress on the syllables.]

STEP FOUR. Bring your hands back to your ears while bring your left foot back to its original position. Put your left hand down by your side and point to the center of the pentagram with your right forefinger (or dagger). Now trace a line in the air at the height of the center of the pentagram as you move in a clockwise direction around the edge of your circle’s space. You should go 90 degrees so that you end up in the south, facing south. As you trace the line in the air you should visualize a brilliant white light emanating from the tip of your finger or blade. At the South, repeat step two and three above, but vibrate Ah-Doh-NYE.

STEP FIVE. Repeat as above, but move to the west and vibrate: Eh-Heh-YEH

STEP SIX. Repeat as above, but move to the North and vibrate AH-Glah.

STEP SEVEN. Complete the circle by connecting a white line from the North to the East where you began...[Return to the middle of your area.]

STEP EIGHT. Now visualize the brilliant white circle expanding up and down to form a sphere above, below and all around you. What you have done is create a sphere in brilliant white all around you with electric blue pentagrams at the quarters which have been charged and sealed with names of God...

Part Three: The Evocation of the Archangels

STEP ONE. Spread your arms straight out to the sides, so that your body forms a cross...

STEP TWO. Visualize a figure on a hill in front of you. The figure is dressed in yellow robes which have some purplish highlights...You should "feel" a breeze coming from behind the figure. Say, Before me, Rah-fay-EL (vibrate the name of the Archangel).

STEP THREE. Visualize a figure behind you, dressed in blue with some orange highlights...Try to feel the moisture in the air. Say, Behind me, Gahb-ray-EL (vibrate the name).

STEP FOUR. To your right visualize a figure dressed in scarlet with green highlights... [Y]ou should feel heat coming from this direction. Say, On my right hand, Mee-chai-EL (vibrate the name. The "CH" is a guttural sound as in the German "ach" or the Scottish "loch").

STEP FIVE. To your lift visualize a figure dressed in greens and browns on a fertile landscape...Say, And on my left hand Ohr-ree-EL (vibrate the name).

STEP SIX. Move your left foot out to your left and visualize another beautiful blue pentagram all around you, outlining your body. Say, For about me flames the pentagram...

STEP SEVEN. Visualize a golden hexagram...within you, right where your heart is. Say, ...And within me shines the six-rayed star.

Part Four: Repeat Part One, the Qabalistic Cross

AS a final note to the LBRP, remember to include everything you are doing in your magickal diary. And most importantly,

Do the LBRP with feeling!

Do it often!

"Enflame yourself with prayer!"

Performing the Qabalistic Cross

by Simon Jester

A Brief Introduction

This is a very basic ritual, one of the very first that students learn. It utilizes the archetypal symbol of the cross, which has possessed a significance in magic that long pre-dates the Christian era. One very early use of the equal armed cross was as a kind of basic map, representing the circular horizon visible from a person's point of view divided into four quarters and four cardinal directions: North, South, East & West. It thus came to symbolize the condition of being oriented, of knowing exactly where you are.

In the Ritual of the Qabalistic Cross, you will visualize a cross of brilliant light shining brightly within your body. This particular cross symbolizes a kind of spiritual orientation. It symbolizes the intersection of the two primal dimensions, worlds, or stages on which the drama of our individual destinies plays out: the dimension of Being, symbolized by the vertical line; and the dimension of Action, symbolized by the horizontal line.

The vertical line of Being, which is visualized emanating from a sphere of brilliant white light floating just above the crown of your head, moving down through your body, and entering another sphere of light encircling your feet, forms a connection between the Source of All (symbolized by Qabalists as Kether at the very top of the Tree of Life) and here: this place, this time in which you now find yourself (symbolized in the Qabalah as Malkuth, the lowest sphere on the Tree of Life.) Visualizing this line of power running vertically through your body is a ritualistic expression of the truth that you are a bridge between the Upper and Lower Worlds; a conduit through which the higher spiritual energies manifest here in the material world. Through performing the Ritual of the Qabalistic Cross, you form a conscious connection with these higher spiritual energies.

The horizontal line of Action is visualized as a line of brilliant light running from a sphere of red light at your right shoulder (symbolizing Geburah on the Tree of Life of the Qabalah) through the top of your heart center into a sphere of blue light at your left shoulder (symbolizing the sephira Chesed or Gedullah on the Tree of Life.) The line expresses the Truth that you are a conscious being with the power to make decisions that are based on values. The red Geburah sphere at your right shoulder symbolizes your ability to make limiting decisions (e.g., the decision to say "No!" or "I will not…"). The blue Gedulla/Chesed sphere at your left shoulder symbolizes your ability to make expansive (or giving) decisions (e.g., the decision to say "Yes!" or "I will…")

In the Qabalah, Geburah is also called Judgement or Power and Gedullah/Chesed is called Mercy or Loving Kindness, and through forming a line between them that intersects with the vertical line of Being at the center of your chest, you symbolically place yourself at the point of perfect balance where your decisions will be neither too harsh nor too lenient. You also symbolically locate your decisions (and the consequent actions which follow from them) at the point where they will be most greatly influenced by the higher spiritual forces flowing down from Above.

The Ritual of the Qabalistic Cross is thus a magical method of gaining spiritual orientation, of affirming that you know exactly where you are spiritually and what you are going to decide to do. This is the perfect metaphysical position, the magical "High Ground" upon which to build the Holy City and from which to venture forth on Quests or to wage battle with the Dark Forces in order to make Conquests in the Name of the Empire of Eternal Light.

Performing the Ritual

Here are the simple steps of the Ritual of the Qabalistic Cross. It may be performed anywhere, at any time you feel the need to become spiritually centered. But, for learning purposes, begin by selecting a quiet place and time. As your power of concentration increases with practice, this will become less necessary. But for now, try to eliminate interruptions and distractions as much as possible.

1. Begin by standing (or sitting, if that works best) facing toward the East, the direction of the rising sun and the dawning light. You may either close your eyes or leave them open, whichever works best for you. Visualize a glowing sphere of white light, about ten inches in diameter, forming approximately 6 inches above the top of your head. Imagine that its light is blinding, like the sun at high noon, and that you can't look directly at it without squinting. Take time for this image to form clearly in your imagination and allow your thoughts to consider that this sphere symbolizes the Source of all created Being, infinitely high above your worldly worries and ambitions. Raise your right hand, place the tips of your fingers into this sphere of light, pull the light downward and touch your forehead, intoning the word "Ateh." This Hebrew word means "Thou art…" and acknowledges the Being of God.

2. Now slowly move your right hand downward from your forehead and let it hover a few inches away from your chest. Imagine that the light is moving downward with your hand, and that it continues straight down through your body till it reaches the region of your feet. (Try to imagine that your body is semi-transparent and that you can see the line of light moving down through yourself.) Visualize another sphere of radiant white light forming around your feet to the height of your ankles, touch your chest with your right hand, and say the word "Malkuth." This Hebrew word means "The Kingdom," and the sphere at your feet symbolizes the here and now in which you find yourself, now perceived as filled with the Holy Light of the Divine. Allow this image to become clear and strong in your imagination, and let your thoughts consider that you are the bridge between the Upper and Lower Worlds, and that it is through your decisions that the Divine Light manifests here on Earth. Place both hands at your sides while visualizing the upright line of the Cross for a while.

3. Now raise your left hand and let it hover a few inches away from your right shoulder. Visualize a sphere of burning red light, about ten inches in diameter, forming around and within your right shoulder. Allow this image to become strong and clear in your imagination. The red Geburah sphere symbolizes your power & vitality, your ability to define boundaries and defend them, your strength to resist harmful negative influences. Keeping all this in mind, touch your left hand to your right shoulder and say the words "ve Geburah," which are Hebrew for "the Power."

4. Still keeping your left hand on your right shoulder, lift your right hand and let it hover a few inches away from your left shoulder. Imagine that a line of light is streaming from the red sphere on your right into your left shoulder where a sphere of glowing blue light forms, again about ten inches in diameter, around and within your left shoulder. Allow this image to become clear and distinct in your mind, touch your left shoulder with your right hand, and say the words "ve Gedullah," which, in Hebrew, mean "the Glory." The blue sphere symbolizes your ability to be giving, loving, compassionate, and forgiving.

5. While keeping your hands crossed over your chest, visualize the horizontal line of light moving through your chest, connecting the red and blue spheres and intersecting with the vertical line of the Cross right in the center of your chest. The horizontal line represents the complete spectrum of your moral/ethical actions, and wherever your consciousness falls on this line will determine whether your decisions are made for the sake of your Self or Others, and whether they are harsh or loving. At the point where the two lines intersect, visualize a glowing sphere of yellowish-golden light forming. This symbolizes Tiphereth on the Tree of Life, the central sephira of Enlightened Consciousness, that perfectly balances influences from Above and Below, and from the Sephiroth on either side of it on the Tree. Imagine that the Tiphereth sphere is moving downward slightly until it is at the same level as your heart & now forming the base of a triangle with the Geburah and Gedulah spheres. See this clearly and vividly in your imagination, and watch as its light radiates from within you to surround you and illumine the room in which you stand. Say the Hebrew words "la olam," which are variously translated as "unto all the ages" or "forever."

6. Conclude by clasping your hands together, as in prayer, and holding them against your chest at the place where the sphere of golden light manifests. Say the word "Amen." This expresses your conscious decision to elevate and shift your consciousness to a Center of Perfect Spiritual Balance.

7. Stand for a while and visualize the light of the spiritually orienting Qabalistic Cross glowing brightly within you. See the light radiate around you like a protective sphere, a Magic Circle of spiritual protection and illumination. Meditate on the symbolic significance of the ritual you have just preformed. You are now ready to go about your business from an altered point of view. This is a perspective that will put you more closely in touch with Higher Spiritual Forces, and make you more open to their positive influence.

There are many, many versions of this basic Hermetic ritual available in books and online. Many of the online versions simply outline the steps of the ritual without explaining its inner significance, and so people perform it mechanically without a true understanding of what it's really all about. That's a shame, because the Qabalistic Cross (with sufficient familiarity) provides a very potent ritual that clears the mind, calms the emotions, and enlightens the thoughts and decisions of the magician.
As with all magical rituals, the primary purpose of the Ritual of the Qabalistic Cross is to tune the mind so that it can begin to pick up higher frequencies. But this beneficial result can never be attained by a person who merely imitates the motions and sounds made by the magician without any comprehension of their meaning. Nor will results come quickly even to someone who does begin with an appreciation of the inner significance of the ritual. It must be done repeatedly on a twice-daily basis, until the mind no longer has to consciously remember the steps and is thereby freed to concentrate on their Hermetic significance while engaged in the performance.

Teaching the mind the trick of raising itself above the material concerns which weigh it down so heavily takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work. Don't be discouraged if you get nothing out of the Ritual of the Qabalistic Cross for a while. Keep at it. Meditate on it. Write down any inspirations that come to you while performing it and study them closely. Diligent efforts will be crowned with eventual success